jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,548
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Post by jamesp on Nov 9, 2012 8:42:59 GMT -5
Motivational thought-check out the price on a new saw.When visitors come to my house the first thing they want me to do is cut a rock.Majic to see the beauty in a sawn rock.Go man go!
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Post by stoner on Nov 15, 2012 3:26:22 GMT -5
I'm glad you solved the problem of removing the blade. And if that is the blade that came with the saw, it is a cement or masonry blade, I had about 6 of them and I gave that blade to Deedolce, so the price was right!!!! Be sure the bolts that hold the saw to the base are tight and sealed, or after a while you'll have a mess down by the motor.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 15, 2012 9:24:58 GMT -5
Hey, Stoner! Yes, same blade, thanks for the additional intel! I was guessing on what it was. I used the marine sealant that you mentioned previously and probably overdid it ... I used it like bathroom caulk / glue to it's in the bolt holes, around the bolt tops, etc. I appreciate your advice on this and everyone's recommendations and feedback. I think I've found a cover (a Rubbermaid container) that I'm going to try and fit this weekend. I was going to try and do a power-up test and cut a rock last weekend and realized I didn't have enough oil ... duh ... so, somewhere along the way, I've got to pickup some oil. Speaking of which, I know this topic has been dealt with on the forum before but I'll ask here as well in case anyone is still looking at this thread: Has anyone used hydraulic oil / tractor oil for their saws? I saw a few posts out there that seemed to indicate that it was a usable option. I can also get it from my local auto parts store in five gallon buckets. Thanks Paul
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 15, 2012 9:56:27 GMT -5
Paul -
I am pretty new to the slab saw game too but I also have a 14" and I used aw32 hydraulic oil for my first two oil changes. I just switched to mineral oil last weekend and I do like it better. It seems thinner and less smelly. I do notice with the thinner oil I am getting some misting that I didn't get before but with winter coming I did not want a thick oil in there. I was getting the hyd. oil for $12 a gallon at the auto parts store and the only place local I found mineral oil was tractor supply at $19 a gallon.
You should have slabs soon! Chuck
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Post by jakesrocks on Nov 15, 2012 10:34:09 GMT -5
Paul, a lite hydraulic oil will work just fine. If you have a Tractor Supply store near you, they have it a lot cheaper than auto supply stores.
Chuck, if you don't like the smell of hydraulic oil, go to your local Wally World and pick up a quart of the cheapest baby oil they have. Just dump it in your saw and it will sweeten the smell.
For the misting problem, your local auto parts store will have cans of an anti misting additive that while not completely stopping the problem, it will at least help. Can't remember the name of the product. Haven't had my second cup of coffee yet, and the brain isn't completely engaged. Just read the cans and bottles in the oil additives section and you'll find it.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 15, 2012 11:00:05 GMT -5
I think my issue was more with the viscosity of the hydraulic oil. The best I could find was aw32 and as soon as it started to get cold out it got too thick. I checked the data sheet on the mineral oil and it's viscosity was 12. I don't think this would be a problem for the open tank saws like yours but mine has a table top surface that has to drain all the oil back through holes and the thick oil will not drain back in the tank fast enough and just sits on top as a sludge. wish I had a good picture of how bad it gets when the oil gets thick but heres the saw I have so you can see how the drain holes work. Chuck
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 15, 2012 12:15:59 GMT -5
I think it looks great, and mineral oil is probably the best way to go if you are concerned about temp & thick oil. I have had some low 40's ( yeah, I know, but that's cold for Florida) and no problem with the Mineral Oil in my 18 inch saw, it definitely mists more than the oil that came with it and if it bothers you the anti misting stuff does an acceptable job of keeping git down... I use a large box fan and open doors/windows in my shed so I don't have a problem with it. I can't wait for the pics of it cutting slabs and maybe you can video tape the maiden voyage of the saw and post it here for all to see.... eiter way it's great!!
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Nov 15, 2012 15:55:10 GMT -5
AWESOME work on the saw Paul!! Glad you were able to offer up advice too Stoner. Even though I still have been lurking (and sadly, not working with rock with the new school year starting up) I somehow missed this thread~~ Love seeing the new life you've given the saw! I sliced many a rock with it. Except for the leaking, that you've solved, it worked great! (I did use a lighter weight that that one, but it disappeared.) I'm looking forward to seeing slabs from you soon!!
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Nov 15, 2012 18:45:54 GMT -5
Nice work! I use the adjustable belt and like it a lot, saved me a lot of time trying to get the right belt.
I used one on my Lortone combo machine, didn't need a new belt on the slab saw. You're gonna love having a big saw.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 15, 2012 23:09:31 GMT -5
Chuck and Don - thanks for the intel on the hydraulic oil. Living in the middle of SoCal, I'll probably have to do some searching to find a tractor supply store, though. I'm not too worried about the viscosity as SoCal does get cold but we're such wimps about cold weather that I'm pretty certain I won't be outside when the temperature drops. When it gets below 60 people start pulling our parka's and other clothing that make it look like they robbed an REI Store. I'm no fashionista so I just resort to a jacket purchased at Costco. Good to hear from you Dee! I know your class has been really busy this year and I appreciate you dropping in on the thread. John - thanks for the feedback on the adjustable belt. If this one doesn't work out, I'll probably end up getting one of those. Thanks for checking out the thread, folks! You've all been really gracious with your advice and feedback on this project! Paul
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Nov 15, 2012 23:38:31 GMT -5
Hey Paul,yall got auto parts stores there? I get most of my hydraulic oil from O'Reillys.About the same prices as a tractor supply.After rereading maybe you were talking about mineral oil from tractor supply?I need to go to bed! snuffy
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 16, 2012 9:29:26 GMT -5
Hi Snuffy - yes, there's an O'Reilly's just a couple of blocks a way. I noticed they have hydraulic oil for about $45 / Five gallon bucket. That's what I was thinking of using. I might have confused the subject a bit mixing my "oils" . Seemed a bit more convenient so I thought I'd give it a try. I take it you use hydraulic oil in your saw? Hi Mario - I'm not too concerned about the temp. While SoCal has been that cold lately, I don't intend on being outside . I'm mostly looking for a good oil that I can get in quantity without driving all over SoCal or paying for mailing for a five gallon bucket of oil...which will be expensive! Paul
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 16, 2012 11:01:28 GMT -5
well you live in an area that has more oil than here in Florida, so finding Mineral oil shouldn't be too difficult... try contacting any oil company , most of them make mineral oil but call it awo70 or something like that... it's basically a highly refined light food grade oil. Just ask around and you should be able to get .. the only oil company here I can get it from is about a 6 hour drive from me.. too far to make it worthwhile, even for a 55 gallon drum. That's why I love the TSC!!!
Anyways let me know how you make out with it.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 18, 2012 20:21:24 GMT -5
Yesterday I went out to O'Reilly's Auto Parts and picked up five gallons of hydraulic oil. Today, was the moment of truth! I filled the box with three gallons and hooked up my plastic storage bin hood and fired it up for it's first test with oil. No leaks from the box! Yeah! However, my hood wasn't keeping the oil spray in well AT ALL. It was bad enough that I pulled out the old hood and slapped it on. I'll use it instead and maybe repaint it at a later date. Three gallons of hydraulic oil (actually, I think this photo was two gallons - after the saw started, I ended up dumping in another gallon to make up the difference that was going up in spray): My "storage box hood": The original hood - works much better: Rock one was just a piece of leaverite from the Yermo area. Figured on testing the concrete blade on something that I'm not going to keep anyway. Cut fine. It also gave me a chance to test how much weight to put on the pulley. First cut! Rock two was a piece of brecciated jasper, again, from Yermo. This one, I was intending to keep and, again, the blade cut just fine. Action photo Cut: It was already about 5:00 PM and I'm BBQ'ing tonight so after a couple of test cuts, I shut it down. I put a white towel underneath in the event that if the box does leak - I should be able to see it. And go through the aggravation of draining, cleaning, and sealing again. LOL. So, some things I've learned today: 1. Hydraulic oil stinks. I'm not a fan. I'll use up the five gallons I bought and then start stocking up on mineral oil. Chuck, you're right, this stuff smells bad. Whew. It was handy and reasonably priced, so I'll use it up and then switch back to mineral oil. 2. Masonry/concrete blades are LOUD. Like standing-on-the-tarmac-at-the-airport-kind-of-LOUD. My ears are ringing and I use ear plugs. If I do this again, I'm getting my rifle ear mufflers down from the attic. This blade gave me a bit of a headache, it was that loud. Cut fine although as most of you pointed out, it is a thick blade and wastes a lot of material. 3. I think I'll pick up a 301 or 303 blade. 4. Did I say it was loud? All in all, I'm pretty pleased! THANK YOU to all of you who've provided encouragement, feedback, advice and support! Couldn't have done this without your ideas and intel! This forum has great people! Dee - if you have time to come up for air between classes ... THANK YOU again! Paul Shiroma
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 18, 2012 20:26:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement, Jamesp! Do appreciate it! I've been watching your thread on the 70lbs tumbler - awesome! Motivational thought-check out the price on a new saw.When visitors come to my house the first thing they want me to do is cut a rock.Majic to see the beauty in a sawn rock.Go man go!
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Nov 18, 2012 20:39:02 GMT -5
Congrats! Must be great to have your first successful cuts after all the work you poured into it. Looking forward to lots of slab picture posts from you now.
Chuck
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Nov 18, 2012 20:45:39 GMT -5
AVATEC 80, Chevron Superla #5, Shell Diala Ax
These are some of the names mineral oil goes by depending on manufacturer, and all recommended by Barranca Diamond for use in their saws.
search any of these or I believe a 70T light oil, which is also mineral oil.
looking great !!! Mario
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Post by stoner on Nov 18, 2012 22:26:07 GMT -5
Congrats on the first cuts! A few comments: After trying to find a source for good oil(cheap), I finally bit the bullet and ordered 5 gals. of Rockhound oil from Covington. Enough said! I just went out and measured the thickness of theses 14" blades(I have 4 more brand new blades) and it measured out to .120" or 3.03mm, which is about a thick as my 18" MK301 blade. If you close the opening on the original top, the noise won't be nearly as bad.
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Post by paulshiroma on Nov 18, 2012 23:00:42 GMT -5
Thanks, Chuck! Yeah, looking forward to getting some slabs done now! Mario, thanks for the ideas. Do appreciate it. Stoner, yeah, I think I'm with you on the Covington Rockhound Oil. Covington is close enough to make it a stop along the route to our favorite rockhounding locations so they're "convenient" enough. Thanks for the advice on the top - I'll get it closed up. "Sounds" like a good idea that will save my ears. Generic food-grade mineral oil works well but finding it locally in quantity has been a bit of a challenge. Could be that I'm just not looking in the right place. Thanks for checking out the thread, guys! Paul
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Post by phil on Nov 19, 2012 15:06:57 GMT -5
Generic food-grade mineral oil works well but finding it locally in quantity has been a bit of a challenge. Could be that I'm just not looking in the right place. Thanks for checking out the thread, guys! Paul Try any local veterinary supply store. They sell animal food grade mineral oil cheap for using on critters. We've been using it awhile, and love the no smell, easy clean up, and cheap cost. ($13 per gallon). Matter of fact, I need to go buy another 24 gallons for the 2 new saws we are refurbing, the 24 inch takes 13 gallons and the 20 inch takes 11. Filters well and relatively fast, and the manufacturer (Covington) has given it thumbs up to use. Phil
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